Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1887-12-03
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON. Nov. %. 18s

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 1887.
As the time approaches for the
meeting of the National Republican
Committee here IN few days, ac-
tive movements are being made in
Philadelphia, Chicago, st Louis and
other cities to capture the National
Convention, each of the aspirants
asserting peculiar claims for the dis
tincti0n that will be laid before the
Committee by strong local delega-
tions. The advance guard of the
Chicago and Phila. delegations
are already here, and quite as much
interest is taken in the matter as at
any similar period in the history OF
the party. One thing is very obser-
vable. That these men refrain from
expressing any personal preference
as to candidates, and are not max
ing the boom of any one. The DISPOSE
tion is every where apparent among
Republicans, that the nominee of
the convention will be perfectly sat.
isfactory, and that our duty is to see
that he is elected. There are no
quarrels now to adjust. United ac-
ton is the watch word from one
end OF the line to the other, and
with this spirit animating our ranks,
we can enter the canvass, whoever
may be our standard bearer, with
the utmost assurance of success.
In talking recently with Senator
Spooner, OF Wisconsin, who Is not
only one of the ablest men in Con-
gress, but one of the finest orators
In the country, he said: "This ses
sion will be a fighting one. The
struggle between the two great poll
tical parties will be intense. The
questions that will be at the for 3.
front are those OF the tariff, the sur.
plus, and finance, which with the
question of freedom of the ballot and
honesty of elections, will make
enough work to occupy all our atten-
tention." The Senator suggested a
suspicion that the general acqnies-
ance of the democratic leaders in
Mr.. Cleveland's denomination may
have been brought about by the
understanding that in due time he
will refuse to run a second time.
There may be good deal in CHS
suggestion, and on no other hypothe-
sis can you account for the sudden
transformation Of several very prom
inent democrats who were planning
severe war on Mr.. Cleveland's ad-
ministration. AS a Republican, l
hope there is nothing in the sugges-
ton, and that he will be the regular
democratic nominee.
One would hardly expect it, yet
there are decided differences of per-
sonal style among the different sets
of Government clerks. The Treas
ury clerks are the least spruce in ap-
pearance and most splritless in man.
ner of all Government employees.
The most Independent, nonchalant,
and cosmopolitan are those of the
Interior Department., who look and
act as though they were happy and
prosperous. The Post Office Depart
ment people are a serious folk, and
have a crushed aspect. The build
ing is as still as a cemetery. A
visitor walks into the Interior De-
partment as if be owned it, but
when he enters the Post Office De-
partment, he begins to falter and
stammer at the very entrance. The
Army and Navy clerks are very
dressy, rather exclusive, but always
polite. The Department of Justice
has no special individuality, but the
State Department can furnish per
feet specimens of the arlstocratic
genus of clerks. They have little
intercourse with clerks of other De-
partments, and are emphatically
" dudes " ofthe most exquisite brand,
aping the foreign representatives
and attaches with whom they are
brought in contact. The public has
little to do with that Department,
and are perfectly willing that the
fine-haired gentlemen shall enjoy
their seclus'on.
The General Land Office has issu-
ed 2,400 agricultural patents during
the past month, and 700 additional
cases are being prepared, of which
500 are for final homesteads in the
Fargo (Dakota) district. Some 1,
900 other cases are under cOnsidera-
ton, and the whole number patent
ed III November will reach nearly
5000.
There is a good deal Of talk here
about a certain handsome young
lady of wealth and social position,
allying herself in marriage to a
member Of the Chinese Legation. 1t
is strange what peculiar whims some
of our American girls are possessed
of.
Secretary of War Endicott is tax.
ing official life remarkably easy. He
is here but a small portion of the
time, and when here never gets ex
cited over Department business.
Nearly everything is routine work,
and left to Bureau chiefs who are
regular Army officers.
lord" Chamberlain, Of the Fish
cry Commission and his suit occupy
thirty seven rooms at the Arlington
hotel!
New Democratic Congressman
are pressing the President severely
for positions, and are after every Of
fetal Republican scalp in their re-
spective districts.